Newton Abbot Magistrates' Court Sentencing Results

Kenneth Smith, 72, from Cumber Close, Brixham, engaged in a sustained campaign of harassment against his 85-year-old widow neighbour, the victim, over a wooden fence separating their bungalows. He angled his drainpipe to direct rainwater onto her property, used abusive language, stared through her window, made threatening gestures, and sawn off five fence posts at the base. The victim installed a camera capturing his behaviour and obtained a county court order against him for £26,000 in damages. The fence became rotten, requiring replacement at a cost of £1,700.

On 14 November 2024, RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey visited the Paignton home of Carsten Walker and Leoni Ball at Fernicombe Close following welfare concerns. The property housed over a dozen animals in poor conditions, including underweight dogs and cats living in cages without adequate food, water, or flea treatment. Specific animals included underweight husky Jasmine and her 10-week-old puppy, American Akita Sasha, lethargic kittens with fleas, underweight mother cat Kylie, Saluki-type Dara with skin condition, crossbreed Levi with hair loss, and husky-type Winter with skin issues and long nails. Five dogs, one cat, and eight kittens were seized and treated, recovering well. All remaining animals were signed over to the RSPCA.

On 14 November 2024, RSPCA Inspector Beccy Wadey visited the Paignton home of Carsten Walker and Leoni Ball at Fernicombe Close following welfare concerns. The property housed over a dozen animals in poor conditions, including underweight dogs and cats living in cages without adequate food, water, or flea treatment. Specific animals included underweight husky Jasmine and her 10-week-old puppy, American Akita Sasha, lethargic kittens with fleas, underweight mother cat Kylie, Saluki-type Dara with skin condition, crossbreed Levi with hair loss, and husky-type Winter with skin issues and long nails. Five dogs, one cat, and eight kittens were seized and treated, recovering well. All remaining animals were signed over to the RSPCA.

David Gorton, 59, of Denbury Road, Newton Abbot, deposited 1,368 tonnes of soil and stone at Little Lindridge Farm, Kingsteignton, between July 19 2018 and May 16 2019, without an environmental permit in force authorising the deposit, while operating as a registered waste carrier. The landowner falsely claimed to have a licence, but Gorton failed to verify this.